ISACS Standards for Membership Location/Check Lists
Schools are expected to be in compliance with every
standard. If, on a rare occasion, a school finds itself in noncompliance with a standard or a part thereof, it must justify
its non-compliance in the self-study and to the visiting team.
A. ISACS POLICIES AND PRACTICES
A1. The school shall be incorporated as a not-for profit organization
and shall have been granted by the Internal Revenue Service
501(c)(3) status or equivalent form of tax-exempt status.
A2. There shall be no discrimination against any person in
admissions, employment, or otherwise that is in violation of the law.
A3. The school shall maintain its facilities and equipment so as to
meet applicable health, fire, safety, and sanitary standards and have
current documentation on file confirming the safety standards.
A4. There shall be at least two professional, opinion-level audits of
the school’s finances within each seven-year cycle, one of which shall
occur during the fiscal year preceding the on-site accreditation visit
(usually Year 2) and the second during Year 5 of the accreditation
cycle. The school shall respond to and/or demonstrate plans to
address any qualifications or recommendations stated in the audit.
A5. The school and its governance structure shall be organized with
sufficient independence from other organizations or individuals so as
to ensure its ability to fulfill its mission and to control its own
destiny.
A6. The school shall subscribe to the ISACS Statement of “Principles
of Good Practice in Admissions and Employment” with respect to
employment of all employees and admission of students and shall be
guided by the NAIS “Principles of Good Practice” in all other areas
of school operations.
A7. There shall be full disclosure of the school’s mission, policies,
programs and practices.
A8. There shall be a high degree of congruence between the stated
mission of the school and the actual program and practices of the
school.
Self Study/School
Confirmation
Visiting Team
Confirmation
ISACS Standards for Membership Location/Check Lists
A9. The school shall provide clear evidence that it permits and
encourages freedom of inquiry. The school shall stress the teaching of
critical reasoning and independent thinking as opposed to
indoctrination.
A10. The school shall demonstrate its commitment to quality
improvement through its compliance with the required ISACS
septennial evaluation program including a survey of constituents,
self-study, visitation by an ISACS team, and prescribed follow-up
activity and reports.
A11. The board shall show evidence that it has given full
consideration to the implications of accepting funds from any
individual(s), organization, governmental or otherwise, which may
exercise undue influence, or regulatory or doctrinal control over the
school.
A12. The school shall demonstrate its commitment to the ISACS
concept and definition of independence.
A13. The school shall have at least one ISACS teacher representative.
A14 The school shall be aware of and in compliance with all state
requirements for full recognition and approval to operate as an
independent school in the state in which the school is located.
A15 The school shall possess written security, crisis, and risk
management plans, and shall annually communicate and practice the
plans as appropriate with all members of the school community.
ISACS Standards for Membership Location/Check Lists
B. PURPOSE, GOALS AND PHILOSOPHY
B1. There shall be a clearly articulated and widely disseminated statement
of educational mission and philosophy that reflects the individual character
of the school, based upon sound educational tenets. Such a statement shall
reflect the characteristics and needs of the school’s students, be
implemented by a specific statement of goals and/or objectives, and be
manifested in the educational program. If an ISACS school is religiously
affiliated, the academic and extracurricular programs must be based
primarily on an educational rationale.
B2. The governing body shall at least once every seven years (preferably
during Year 7 of the accreditation cycle) review, revise if necessary, and
approve the statement of educational mission and philosophy; it shall be
understood and supported by the governing body, administration, faculty,
and staff.
B3. Where appropriate, the development and periodic review of the
philosophy and objectives shall be a collective effort involving faculty,
students, administrators, parents and the board of trustees.
B4. In keeping with its purpose, goals and philosophy, the school shall
demonstrate its commitment to an inclusive and equitable school
community for all its constituencies, through all of its program and
operations, regardless of ability, age, gender, race, religion, sexual identity,
socio-economic status, and any other identifiers important to the school.
C. COMMUNITY OF THE SCHOOL
C1. There shall be clearly defined admissions policies and procedures that
demonstrate consistency with the stated mission and philosophy of the
school and that provide the general criteria upon which admissions are
made.
C2. The school shall require each candidate for admission to undergo an
evaluation process to enable the school and the family to determine if
matriculation would be mutually beneficial. A student shall be admitted
only when it is determined that the school can reasonably expect to meet the
needs of the student.
C3. Prior to a student’s enrollment, parents (or guardians) shall be fully
informed of their financial responsibilities to the school.
ISACS Standards for Membership Location/Check Lists
C4. There shall be clearly defined policies and procedures that promote a
climate of emotional and physical safety among students and between
students and the faculty and staff. Discipline practices shall be humane and
mindful of the inherent dignity in every student. Corporal punishment is an
unacceptable practice.
C5. The school shall be attentive to the quality of life of all members of the
learning community and take appropriate actions to create a positive
learning and social environment.
C6. The school shall articulate procedures for the effective communication
with, and involvement of, all constituencies in a way that is appropriate to
their interests as well as the purposes and objectives of the school.
D. PROGRAM, ACTIVITIES, AND STUDENT SERVICES
D1. The program shall be based on guiding beliefs and assumptions shared
broadly by the faculty and administration, which evolve from the school’s
statement of educational mission and purpose. Such beliefs shall include an
understanding of ways in which students learn and develop and the
appropriate means of instruction for all students enrolled in the school.
D2. The school’s program shall include an appropriate selection of
experiences among the humanities, fine arts, world language, mathematics,
science, social studies, and physical education as is appropriate for the ages,
needs, and abilities of students enrolled in the school.
D3. The school shall stress the teaching of knowledge, skills, critical
reasoning, and independent thinking as opposed to indoctrination.
D4. In keeping with its mission, the program shall have sufficient range for
the learning styles, developmental needs and cultural backgrounds of the
students enrolled in the school.
D5. The program shall include a balance of academic, extracurricular, and
athletic activities as is consistent with the school’s purpose.
D6. The school shall have a curriculum that is articulated in written form
and evident in the program of the school. Provision shall be made for
faculty involvement in periodic review, evaluation and development of the
school’s curriculum.
ISACS Standards for Membership Location/Check Lists
D7. The school shall provide adequate program support that reflects the
school’s philosophy including library/media and technology services,
guidance services, special needs support, and health services.
D8. The school day and year shall be sufficient for the total school program
to achieve its goals.
D9. The schools shall demonstrate an assessment process to measure
growth, development, and achievement of students.
E. GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
E1. A board of trustees (governors, directors) shall be appropriate in number
to affect the growth and prosperity of the school and shall develop major
school policies, oversee and maintain the financial stability of the school,
lead in fundraising and promotion, and employ, evaluate, and support the
school head.
E2. The head of school and/or any employee will not be a voting member of
the board of trustees, i.e., the head of school and any other employees
designated by him/her may serve only in an ex officio capacity on the board
of trustees.
E3. The board shall engage in periodic review (at least once every seven
years, two years prior to the school’s self-study/ accreditation process) and,
if necessary, revision of the school’s mission and in ongoing and continuous
strategic planning.
E4. The administration shall be appropriate in number and organized so as
to carry out policies effectively. It shall be responsible for realizing the
strategic vision of the school through management of the school programs,
personnel, facilities, and resources, including employment of all faculty,
staff, and support personnel.
E5. The school shall demonstrate effective boundaries between the
governance role of the board and the role of the school head as the manager
of day-to-day operations.
E6. The board and administration shall provide for a clearly understood
decision-making process, for an ongoing and continuous process of strategic
planning, for the periodic review of all aspects of the school organization,
and for appropriate modification of programs and services.
ISACS Standards for Membership Location/Check Lists
E7. The board shall generate necessary resources for providing and
maintaining physical facilities, equipment and materials adequate to support
the program of the school.
E8. There shall be appropriate procedures for management of financial
resources including budget development, fiscal management, internal
control, accounting, auditing such accounts, and long-range planning
E9. The school shall provide adequate fundraising, public relations, and
financial management support to achieve the school’s mission.
E10. There shall be evidence of regular, documented evaluation of the
performance of the head of school by the board (or board designated
committee) and understood procedures for renewal, non-renewal and
termination of his/her employment.
E11. The board shall regularly conduct a self-evaluation and make provision
for periodic board development.
E12. There shall be periodic review, at least once every seven years, of the
school’s by-laws to ensure compliance with law and with best current
practice.
F. PERSONNEL
F1. The administration, faculty and staff shall be qualified for their positions
and responsibilities by education and/or experience (See A6).
F2. There shall be clearly established procedures for recruiting, screening,
and interviewing prospective faculty and staff.
F3. There shall be fair and appropriate personnel policies, salaries, and
benefits for all employees.
F4. Each employee shall be clearly informed of his or her compensation,
term of employment, and principal duties.
F5. There shall be evidence of regular, documented evaluation of the
performance of the administration, faculty and staff, and understood
procedures for non-renewal and termination of employment.
F6. The school shall demonstrate a commitment to the professional
development of its staff. (Examples might include any or all of the
following: funding professional development at appropriate levels;
providing new teachers with training and mentors; encouraging attendance
at professional conferences and workshops; expecting staff to develop
ISACS Standards for Membership Location/Check Lists
individual professional development plans; assignment of school-wide
professional development responsibilities to the ISACS rep; etc.)
G. OTHER PROGRAMS
G1. If there is a residential program, it must be so conceived and staffed to
fulfill that aspect of the school’s program, particularly with respect to the
portion of the day outside regular classroom hours. Applicable health and
safety regulations shall be fully observed.
G2. The relationship between the school and any special programs it offers
on a supplementary basis (summer sessions, before and after school
programs, special education, seminars, institutes, etc.) shall be fully
disclosed. The operation of such supplementary programs shall not be in
conflict with the school’s purpose or ISACS standards for regular programs.
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Visiting Team Leader Signature
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DATE